Healthcare Spending 3.7 Percent up to EUR 93 Billion

THE HAGUE, 17/05/13 - Last year, spending on healthcare in the Netherlands amounted to 92.7 billion euros, an increase by 3.7 percent from 2011. In particular spending on long-term care rose considerably, the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) reported on Thursday.

Care spending increased by an average of 3.2 percent annually in the years 2010 and 2011, In 2012, the share of spending on health care in gross domestic product (GDP) rose to 15.4 percent from 14.8 percent in 2011. Per capita spending on health care amounted to 5,535 euros in 2012, versus 5,355 euros in 2011.

The amount spent on care for elderly and disabled persons soared by more than 10 percent. The cost are borne by the collectively funded Exceptional Medical Expenses Act (AWBZ) budget. Proportionally, the number of people qualifying for a more intensive form of medical care increased.

The cost of mental health care remained more or less stable in 2012 after many years of increase. Spending on the medical part of mental health care, paid through the basic health insurance, was reduced.

Spending on hospitals and medical specialists’ practices increased by 5.6 percent in 2012, accounting for more than one quarter of total spending on care. The increase is partly caused by a category of expensive medicines which have been transferred to the hospitals' budget with effect from 1 January 2012. As a result, spending on medicines supplied through regular pharmacies and chemists was nearly 7 percent down in 2012.

After a substantial growth in 2011, spending on GP care was reduced by more than 2 percent in 2012. This is mainly due to reduced registration fees and fees for special medical treatments. Dental care spending rose by nearly 5 percent last year, mainly caused by fee increases.

Spending on childcare was reduced in 2012. The use of childcare facilities diminished; the number of children in childcare as well as the number of hours of care per child decreased. The average fee per hour rose marginally.